Economic Archive

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  FISCAL DECENTRALIZATION IN EUROPE: EFFECTS ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS’ FISCAL AUTONOMY

  The European Charter of Local Self-Government, which was ratified by almost all European member states, provides for the decentralization of power and the transfer of competences and financial resources to local communities as well as extends local authorities’ tax collection and budgetary spending responsibilities. In reality, however, the ... The European Charter of Local Self-Government, which was ratified by almost all European member states, provides for the decentralization of power and the transfer of competences and financial resources to local communities as well as extends local authorities’ tax collection and budgetary spending responsibilities. In reality, however, the increased spending responsibilities and the limited self-financing powers of the municipalities in our country raise the question of the degree of their dependence on the cen¬tral government. This paper presents a survey which aims to measure and assess the degree of tax autonomy of local governments in Bulgaria compared to their counterparts from other EU member states by means of a set of indicators and thus to determine one of the effects of fiscal decentralization – lo¬cal self-government’s tax autonomy.

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  THE COHESION POLICY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND INTER-REGIONAL DISPARITIES IN BULGARIA

  The article presents a theoretical analysis of the causes for inter-regional disparities and an empirical study on the impact of the EU Cohesion Policy on the standard of living in Bulgaria. It also gives some recommendations for maximizing the beneficial effect of this policy on the regions in our country. The author defends the thesis that the ... The article presents a theoretical analysis of the causes for inter-regional disparities and an empirical study on the impact of the EU Cohesion Policy on the standard of living in Bulgaria. It also gives some recommendations for maximizing the beneficial effect of this policy on the regions in our country. The author defends the thesis that the economic imbalances among regions cause social and demographic ones. Accordingly, the study focuses on the economic inter-regional differences and the way they are affected by the Cohesion (Regional) policy of the European Union as a tool utilized by the Community to achieve economic and social cohesion.

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  QUALITY AND PERSPECTIVES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATION IN THE CONTEXT OF THE PROCESS OF DECENTRALIZATION IN GREECE

  The study aims to determine the progress of the central and municipal administrations and their attitudes towards the process of decentralization in Greece; their competences and attitudes regarding decentralization; the degree of completion of decentralization; and the enhancement of the qualification of the central and municipal administrations. ... The study aims to determine the progress of the central and municipal administrations and their attitudes towards the process of decentralization in Greece; their competences and attitudes regarding decentralization; the degree of completion of decentralization; and the enhancement of the qualification of the central and municipal administrations. The study is based on a questionnaire which included questions regarding the opinion and the attitudes of the administration towards the process decentralization in Greece. The survey was conducted with 95 civil servants. The results outline certain difficulties in the decentralization process as well as ways to overcome them.